If the new franchisees are having more rolling stock built, then that should --eventually--help with overcrowding.

I had this discussion a year or so ago with a senior LM official, and the answer then was very much "Yes we know the Hereford-Birmingham trains can be grossly overcrowded, even from Malvern or Worcester, but there just isn't any more rolling stock we can get our hands on..."

Does sound like no immediate improvement, sadly.

Rob

I believe London Midland had an option to purchase more carriages when the class 172s were ordered but they decided not to take that option up..._________________Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

If the new franchisees are having more rolling stock built, then that should --eventually--help with overcrowding.

I had this discussion a year or so ago with a senior LM official, and the answer then was very much "Yes we know the Hereford-Birmingham trains can be grossly overcrowded, even from Malvern or Worcester, but there just isn't any more rolling stock we can get our hands on..."

Does sound like no immediate improvement, sadly.

Rob

I believe London Midland had an option to purchase more carriages when the class 172s were ordered but they decided not to take that option up...

If the new franchisees are having more rolling stock built, then that should --eventually--help with overcrowding.

I had this discussion a year or so ago with a senior LM official, and the answer then was very much "Yes we know the Hereford-Birmingham trains can be grossly overcrowded, even from Malvern or Worcester, but there just isn't any more rolling stock we can get our hands on..."

Does sound like no immediate improvement, sadly.

Rob

I believe London Midland had an option to purchase more carriages when the class 172s were ordered but they decided not to take that option up...

LM had an option for 26 additional class 172 vehicles but could not convince the DfT to sign off the funding so the option lapsed.

That IS a pity.

Thanks for the clarification. I remembered reading about it somewhere._________________Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

I havn't read the full documentation about the new franchise, but I wonder if the new people will put any pressure on Network Rail to look at the operating constraints on some of the services?

For instance Hereford- Malvern- Worcester- Bromsgrove- Birmingham is constrained by three single line sections, Hereford-Ledbury, Ledbury-Malvern Wells, and Droitwich to Stoke Works junction.

I surmise there may well be other ex-LM services that are similarly constrained by infrastructure.

Rob

The CP6 period 2019-2024 looks like it is limited to a maintenance basis with very few enhancements, IIRC the SOFA (statement of Funds Available) has been deferred until October. Ely-Soham has been suggested by the minister as being one that might get through. As completion of GW main line and Trans-Pennine electrification is pulled, it would seem Worcestershire enhancements stand little chance.

Dear Rob and Patrick, I don't know how factual this is but is the new high speed railway going to consume vast sums of money and there is only so much money to go around? I suppose that is another debate though._________________Thanks Reg.

Dear Rob and Patrick, I don't know how factual this is but is the new high speed railway going to consume vast sums of money and there is only so much money to go around? I suppose that is another debate though.

There in is the problem with public funding as opposed to private funding.

Dear Rob and Patrick, I don't know how factual this is but is the new high speed railway going to consume vast sums of money and there is only so much money to go around? I suppose that is another debate though.

There in is the problem with public funding as opposed to private funding.

If HS2 is to be built, it should be funded by the private sector.

IIRC HS2 is expected to receive investment from China as well as others._________________Kieren, Kidderminster Station Staff and TTI

So it will soon be time to say 'au revoir mon ami' to London Midland. Thank you for getting me around the Midlands over the years. Could it be that we we will see you again in 7 years time or so?_________________Thanks Reg.

Any mention of 'London Midland' has already been covered up on most units. The announcements on some 172s have also been changed to remove mention of London Midland._________________Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

As it's mostly vinyls they can be re-done fairly quickly. That said, here in Scotland there's still plenty of units going round in the First style livery from a few years ago._________________Kieren, Kidderminster Station Staff and TTI